Beach tennis will return to San Diego with the Evolution Home Theatre’s Beach Tennis Smash on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 at Ocean Beach Tower 3 at the corner of Brighton Avenue and West Point Loma Boulevard.
This is the second year beach tennis has been organized in San Diego, but this year is a little different, according to organizers. Last year, the national organization Beach Tennis USA (BTUSA) coordinated the event.
In 2008, however, the tournament is under the direction of a newly created local chapter, San Diego Beach Tennis Association, which works in conjunction with the national organization.
“This is really our inaugural tournament,” said Gretchen Magers, president of San Diego Beach Tennis Association. “From this point on we hope to continue to grow and offer people in San Diego the opportunity to learn about and play beach tennis. The tournament is our signature event of the year.”
Beach tennis has been described as a combination of beach volleyball and tennis, creating an action-packed, fast-paced game. It is now in its fourth season in the U.S. since being launched by real estate developer Marc Altheim.
“It is so much fun,” Magers said. “Whether you are a serious player or just want to have some fun at the beach, it will accommodate both levels of interests.”
For this year’s tournament, Magers has created some additional attractions and incentives for people who simply wish to watch.
“On Saturday, we will have three local bands playing over a six-hour time frame. They will be ‘unplugged’ so it will not be loud enough to disturb other people on the beach,” Magers said. “The permit we received from the city to have the event does not allow us to sell anything, so some of our sponsors will have free giveaways of their products.”
“Soles4Souls” is the official charity of the Beach Tennis Smash. Participants and spectators are encouraged to donate shoes that have been “gently worn” to Soles4Souls, which then distributes them around the world to those in need.
“I got the idea from last year’s marathon here in San Diego, whereby at the end of the race, runners had the opportunity to donate their shoes,” Magers said. “Tennis players usually have lots of pairs of shoes but the beauty of beach tennis is you do not need shoes. So now you have a reason to donate them.”
Magers, a popular former professional-tour player who competed in all of the Grand Slam events, said the competition in the pro division will be very good. According to Magers, beach tennis has proven to be a popular transition for those players no longer on the tour.
“Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Tarabini will be playing, in addition to former WTA tour player Caroline Vis,” Magers said. “The thing I remember about Caroline Vis is she reached 13 WTA doubles finals. Patricia Tarabini has a great sense of humor and will be fun to watch.”
The tournament will not be without local talent, however. Pacific Beach residents Lisa and Laura Maloney will also be competing. The Maloney sisters recently won the BTUSA’s 2008 Sunshine State Slam, which took place May 3 in Miami.
On June 7, the event will begin at 8 a.m. with an introduction to the international version of the game, which is played with paddles, unlike in the U.S., where regular tennis racquets are used. This will be followed by amateur/novice events for both men and women and a pro-am with professionals, sponsors and members of the media. The day concludes with the mixed doubles competition from 4 to 6 pm.
On June 8, events will be strictly focused on the professional divisions, with the women competing beginning at 9 a.m. and finishing around 1 p.m. At that time, the men will begin their competitions and finish around 5 p.m.
“Overall, there are six divisions and we are hoping for 16 teams in each division,” said Magers.
Beach tennis, like beach volleyball, is played with a minimum of two-person teams.
“Our goal is to fill up every division with 16 teams but with this being our first year, we are not totally sure what to expect,” Magers continued. “The most popular division so far has been the mixed doubles.”
In describing the two-day event, Magers said, “Think beach party, and instead it is tennis.”
The tournament is free for spectators. Parking at or around the beach on a summer weekend can be challenging, so participants and spectators are urged to plan ahead. Registration for the Beach Tennis Slam is now closed but Magers said there might be a chance for late entrants to participate in some divisions.
For more information, call (619) 920-7075, or visit www.beachtennisusa.net.
Those interested in learning beach tennis can do so every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Barnes Tennis Center, 4490 West Point Loma Blvd. in Point Loma.